OJ Simpson granted first parole – but not yet getting out

FILE - In this May 16, 2013 file photo, O.J. Simpson listens during an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court, Thursday, May 16, 2013 in Las Vegas. O.J. Simpson won a small victory Wednesday. July 31, 2013, in his bid for freedom as Nevada granted him parole on some of his convictions in a 2008 kidnapping and armed robbery involving the holdup of two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas hotel room. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, Pool, File)

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The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners has granted O.J. Simpson parole on his most serious offenses — kidnapping and armed robbery.

But Simpson won’t get out of prison. Instead, he will begin serving a term for deadly-weapon enhancements.

It was Simpson’s first parole hearing after he served the minimum five years in prison for two counts of kidnapping and two counts of armed robbery.

The deadly-weapon enhancements for each of those sentences were ordered consecutive to the kidnapping and robbery sentences. Before he can seek parole on those sentences, he must serve a minimum of one more year.

But even if he wins parole on the enhancements, Simpson faces at least another 18 months on the remaining consecutive sentences of 18 months.

Four of Nevada’s seven parole board members supported the decision, including Chairwoman Connie Bisbee. The others were Susan Jackson, who headed the panel that reviewed Simpson’s case, Adam Endel and Tony Corda.

The parole officially takes effect Oct. 2. Simpson will be eligible for a hearing on the four enhancement counts one year after that date.

Among the reasons listed for granting Simpson parole on the kidnap and robbery charges are that he has no prior convictions, has participated in programs within the prison and has a positive institutional record with zero disciplinary write-ups.

In addition, the board ruled Simpson a low risk to commit another offense.